MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY Prerequisites: Biol 3880 with grade of C or higher, or equivalent course work This is a writing intensive course.
Robert A. Maxwell, Ph.D. BIOL 4428 291 Kell Hall Fall 2009 404‐413‐5342
[email protected] Textbook: Medical Microbiology (5th Edition). Authors: P. R. Murray, K. S. Rosenthall, and M. A. Pfaller Publisher: Elsevier‐Mosby, Philadelphia (2005).
Course Description: An overview of significant human and animal pathogens, including aspects of bacterial, viral, protozoan, and helminthic infections and pathogenesis. Pathogen characteristics and features, epidemiology, immunity, and treatment will be addressed.
Grading: Grades will be posted on ULearn. Students earn points throughout the semester from online assessments (quizzes), writing assignments, a final exam. Each activity will have a total number of possible points, with a semester total of 1000 points. Even though ULearn will keep a record of each student’s scores, students are strongly encouraged to keep a personal record of your scores. Semester Point Total Break Down (Tentative) Writing Assignments 400 Points Antibiotic Presentation 50 Points Immunology Project 75 Points Pathogen Presentation 75 Points Communicable Disease Project 100 Points Online Quizzes 100 Points Final Exam 200 Points Total 1000 Points
Grade Breakdown: Your final grade in class will be determined by the total points you have accumulated. The grade breakdown is as follows: A+ = 970 points and above A = 910‐969 points A‐ = 890‐909 points B+ = 870‐889 points B = 810‐879 points B‐ = 790‐809 points C+ = 770‐789 points C = 710‐769 points C‐ = 690‐709 points D = 550‐689 points F = Below 550 points This means that a cumulative total of 769 points will be a grade of ‘C’. Total points are not rounded up to the next higher grade level. You will be given many opportunities throughout the semester to earn points. In addition, any questions about the points accumulated prior to the final must be addressed before the time of the Final Exam. There will be no alteration of points after the final exam has been administered. Course Learning Objective: Describe the basic concepts of the Human Immune Response. Understand the interaction of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses with the human immune system though the use of case studies and writing assignments. Explore various bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses (as listed in the course schedule), and their associated pathogenic conditions though the use of case studies and writing assignments.
Student Responsibilities & Class Policies: Readings: All reading assignments are to be completed prior to class time. Other assignments will have specified due dates, as listed in the Course Schedule. Any alterations in this schedule will be posted on the ULearn site. No late assignments will be accepted. Unless otherwise noted, all assignments will be on ULearn, and will be turned in through the uLearn assignment tool. Emailed submissions will not be accepted. Online Assessments: Periodically, students will be required to complete online quizzes. These assessments must be completed by the due date. In addition, if you have a question regarding a quiz answer, please email your instructor through WebCT. No request to alter an online assessment grade will be accepted past the day and time of the Final Exam. Writing Assignments: As a writing intensive course, you will be expected to present written work throughout the semester. In general, there will be two types of writing assignments:
In‐Class Assignments: Students will be expected to complete written case‐ studies and other exercises during class. Unless otherwise noted, these will be written essays. It is expected that students will present work of college level sophistication, including correct grammar, spelling and style. Outside Assignments: Periodically throughout the semester, students will be expected to submit homework and formal projects. It is expected that the student’s submission will be well considered, referenced, and edited. Grading: Please refer to the document entitled “Assignment Grading” for a review of all assignment expectations and the tentative grading system for these assignments. Exams: You are expected to come to the exam on time. No exam will be administered to students arriving later than 20 minutes after the start of the course. Make‐up exams will only be given for the following reasons: • University Approved Activity (Please notify me at least 24 hours prior to the activity to arrange a make‐up). • Religious holidays, Summons and Jury Duty (Please notify me at least 24 hours prior to the activity to arrange a make‐up). • Medical or family emergency (Please provide documentation, and contact me as soon as possible). Tardiness due to traffic or delays in mass transit are not a valid excuses for being late or missing an exam. Make sure that you give yourself enough time to arrive prior to the start of class. Exam papers remain the property of the Georgia State University Department of Biology. Students will have an opportunity to review their performance on each exam and discuss their grade with their instructor. Students may not keep their exam papers. Students who do not return their exam papers to their instructor will be considered in violation of the Student Code of Conduct regarding theft of University property. Academic Honesty: You should be aware of Georgia State University’s policy on Academic Honesty. This information can be found in the Student Handbook and on the website for the Dean of Students. The following link goes directly to the page on Academic Honesty: http://www2.gsu.edu/%7Ewwwdos/codeofconduct_conpol.html Dishonesty in the classroom will not be tolerated. Violations of the Student Code of Conduct will receive a grade of 0 for the assignment and a report of the incident will be forwarded to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences’ office. Repeat violations may be subject to disciplinary action from the office of the Dean of Students. Students may collaborate on unit quizzes, though it is expected that each student will complete each quiz personally. Unless specifically stated as being collaborative, other assignments (not designated as a unit quiz), are to be completed independently by each student. These will include, but are not limited to, exams, in class quizzes, and essays.
Plagiarism on essays, or other written assignments, will result in a zero for that essay. Essays copied between students will result in a zero for all essays involved. A student who plagiarizes two or more written assignments will receive an ‘F’ in the class regardless of other classroom performance. In addition, an official report of academic misconduct will be filed with the Department of Biology and the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students with Disabilities: Information, including documentation of a disability, can be found at the Margaret A. Stanton Office of Disability Services (http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwods/index.htm). Special accommodations need to be submitted to the instructor during the first week of the course. American’s with Disabilities Act • Georgia State University complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students with disabilities who seek academic accommodations must first take appropriate documentation to the Margaret A. Stanton Office of Disability Services, located in suite 230 of the Student Center. It is the responsibility of ODS to assess the documentation of each student requesting academic accommodations based on disability. Students who have letters of accommodations must meet with the instructor during the first two weeks of the semester. Study Skills: The Counseling Center (http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwcou/) offers seminars and resources to improve study skills. If you feel your study skills need improvement, make an appointment to talk with me or check out the services and resources found on campus. Other resources: Student Support Services (http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwsss/index.htm). The Writing Studio (English Department) (http://www.writingstudio.gsu.edu/) Courtesy: All students are expected to follow the rules of common courtesy Arrive to class on time. • If late, refrain from disrupting class with your entrance. Avoid talking to classmates during the class period. Turn off all Cell phones, Pagers or other electronic devices that make noise. Questions are encouraged during class, so don’t hesitate to ask them! Drop Points and Final Exams: Make sure that you look over the calendar. From the start of term, you have two weeks to drop or add classes. The last day to withdraw from the class with a W is the midpoint of the semester. Check the course schedule for the precise date. Check the course schedule for the precise date. • Do not be late for this exam, and do not miss it! Incompletes: To qualify for an incomplete, you must meet all of the following criteria. Your grade average must be a C or higher at the time of the request. You have a valid, documented reason for requesting the incomplete. You have filled out the paperwork for the incomplete prior to grade submission.
Contacting your instructor by Email
The Email address provided on page one of the syllabus is to be used for questions regarding the course and general inquiries. The subject line must include the nature of your inquiry. Example: Problem with Unit 3 Concept Quiz. Example: Need help in understanding DNA Replication. Example: Need to make an appointment. In the email, please include the following information: The course you are taking. The Nature of the problem – If this involves a particular quiz, please tell me which quiz, the attempt. Not having this information will slow down the resolution of your inquiry. You are expected to use formal English in writing your emails. The use of text‐ speak, that is abbreviations common to texting, is prohibited. Your requests will not receive a response if they are in text‐speak. If you are asking to make an appointment, please indicate at least three times that you can be available.
